This book holds another poignant message which challenges the Christian to attend another meditative self-review of his, or her, innermost values, and desires, so that he, or she, may realize the degree of importance to which he, or she, holds the personal relationship to, and with, God. In the first chapter, entitled, “Who is the Holy Spirit?”, Tozer begins by first distinguishing the difference between the natural world and the spirit world.

Then, in chapter two (“The Promise of the Father”), Tozer provides a brief, but constructive, introduction to the Holy Spirit as he describes His origin, role, and purpose, as a member of the Holy Trinity (or, Godhead) and as God in the Christian’s life. Tozer is clear in his description of the Holy Spirit even as he establishes the fact that the Christian must depend totally upon the Holy Spirit in order to effectively live for Jesus Christ.

Next, in the third chapter, entitled, “How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit”, Tozer explains how the Christian can be filled with the Holy Spirit— but after he asks seven vital questions:

Is the Spirit-filled life for you (pg. 40)?

Can you believe this part (i.e., to be Spirit-filled) is part of God’s plan (pg. 41)?

Can you believe the Spirit is loveable (pg. 42)?

Can you believe this is scriptural (pg. 43)?

Do you want to be filled (pg. 44)?

Do you want Him to be Lord of your life (pg. 46)?

Are you sure you need Him (pg. 48)?

It is after the position of these questions, and some insightful commentary, that Tozer explains how to receive the Holy Spirit by referencing the Holy Bible:

Finally, Tozer explains how to cultivate the Spirit’s companionship as he cites the scripture, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3).” Perhaps Tozer’s statement (on page 56) not only summarizes Chapter 4 (i.e., “How to Cultivate the Spirit’s Companionship”), but it also harmonizes the message of this entire book:

“I don’t want to say this, but I think that some of you may not be ready for the message because you are more influenced by the world than you are by the New Testament. I am perfectly certain that I could rake up fifteen boxcar loads of fundamentalist Christians this hour in the city of Chicago who are more influenced in their whole outlook by Hollywood than they are by the Lord Jesus Christ. I am positive that much that passes for the [G]ospel in our day is very little more than a very mild case of orthodox religion grafted onto a heart that is sold out to the world in its pleasures and tastes and ambitions (1952).”

In this final chapter, Tozer also presents six important things which Christians must do in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit after he poses one important question (on page 54)— “Are you ready for this?”

After this question, Tozer enumerates some of the blessings and benefits of allowing the Holy Spirit to take on His rightful role in the Christian’s life. Then, Tozer lists the six important things which the Christian must either remember, or do, if he, or she, is ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is a living Person [therefore, the Christian must relate to the Holy Spirit as the Person He is] (pg. 57).

Be engrossed with Jesus Christ (pg. 58).

Walk in righteousness (pg. 59).

Make your thoughts a clean sanctuary (pg. 60).

Seek to know him in the Word (pg. 61).

Cultivate the art of recognizing the presence of the Spirit (pg. 63).

So, to summarize this book, Tozer is explaining that while a Christian can have sincerely accepted and received the free gift of salvation offered to all by the Self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it is also possible for that same Christian to not be filled by the Holy Spirit, and as a result, miss out on a very intimate, life-changing and wholesome experience with the One whom Jesus promised would be our “Comforter” , and the One who would teach us all that we would need to know after Jesus ascended to the Father in Heaven (John 16:7).

This is another one of Tozer’s works which I have added to my personal library, and I highly recommend that Christians who wish to know how they can live out their purpose read this book. Tozer’s message can help the seeking Christian to understand that the Christian already has a purpose (Isaiah 43:7)—- the Christian just needs to know God’s plan for his, or her, life so that living out that purpose can be done (Jeremiah 29:11 – 13). But, this is done by cultivating an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Tozer’s fearless assessment and rebuke of the modern Church’s seemingly mass abstention from the influence and leadership of the Holy Spirit, and its widely evident conformity to many of the world’s ways and attitudes, further encourages me to take greater critical self-assessment in order to truly understand my personal need for more of the Holy Spirit’s influence and leadership in my life, and I hope this book encourages other Christians to do the same.

I’ve received A.W. Tozer’s Paths to Power from Moody Publishers. Although short in length, the stimulating message in this book encourages the Christian to honestly, and thoroughly, examine his, or her, life so that the Christian can truly understand, and live out (or, should I say, “obey”) the Word of God.

Tozer’s argument is brief, poignant, insightful, and hard-hitting, but encouraging. And, he presents seven major positions which he has carefully identifies as hindrances to the modern Church’s ability to function effectively as the First Church did. These are:

The modern Church’s general lack of understanding, focus and commitment to its God-given mission, purpose, and work in the earth.

To carry out the instructions for godly living which God carefully provided in the Holy Bible.

The lack of productivity in the modern Church, and resulting inability to demonstrate the fruits of God’s Word.

The easily observable phenomenon that the lifestyles of many modern Christian’s looks more similar to that of their non-Christian counterparts than those of the early Church.

The lack of outpourings of the Holy Spirit into the lives of the modern Christian Church, and some of the unscriptural teachings and beliefs concerning it which are held by many modern Christians.

The lack of unity which is very evident and widespread in the modern Church.

Although this book was first published in the 1940s, its description of a modern Church which (1) fails to demonstrate the power of God, and (2) to take full responsibility for its own sinful actions, (3) confuses the Bible’s teachings on such foundational teachings as atonement, redemption, salvation, justification and grace, in order to justify a life which exhibits questionable morals, (4) and over-emphasizes the “grace” of God, (5) the lack of spiritual unity which is still widespread throughout the modern Church, and a plethora of other serious matters which ultimately result in the generally, “powerless” modern Christianity which we can easily see, today— one that is in great contrast to the Christianity of the First Church.

“Paths to Power” is the first book by A.W. Tozer that I’ve read, and now, I expect to include his works in my home library because his approach to teaching biblical concepts seems to be simple, straightforward, and heartfelt. His passion for the Christian to truly know God is evident from the beginning to the end of this book. Moreover, his usage of plain and clear language makes this book usable and enjoyable for the serious student of the Bible, and for the person who is simply curious to know more about the Christian life.

I highly recommend this book to every member of every church, and to every Christian— especially to those who are members of, or are influenced by Western Christianity, because, with this book, Tozer is challenging and encouraging every person who considers himself, or herself, to be a Christian to undergo self-evaluation and to compare his, or her, life to the teachings of the Bible, and to make the changes in the areas of that life, as needed.

The Bible consists of 66 books. How can someone claim to bring honor to Someone who has never read about how to honor Him? How can someone call himself, or herself, a “Bible teacher”, but has never studied the Bible? How can we get in passionate debates, and discussions, on Bible passages and things we’ve heard others say about the Bible, but we have never read the Bible for ourselves?

For example, some of the people accessing this content probably have a Facebook page because this content was also published on Facebook. Did those individuals actually take the time to read the Facebook Terms and Conditions before they began using Facebook? Whether, or not they read those Terms and Conditions, they entered into a contract in order to use Facebook. Who signs contracts, but doesn’t read them, first? The person who didn’t read the Terms and Conditions, but uses Facebook, does not know to what Terms and Conditions he, or she, has agreed. Each party of the contract has to give something up, and/or bring something to the table.

In the military, soldiers honor their countries because they took the time to study its customs and conduct and their environment constantly reminds them of those national customs and conduct. In school, my teachers new their subjects because they studied their subjects and usually, we had a classroom environment to constantly remind us of what we were learning. And in college, I wasn’t paying anyone to waste my time making comments on a subject which he, or she, had not studied.

I’m continuing my “thankfulness” posts on Easter 2016 because the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the existence of my faith, redemption and salvation. I’m grateful for the life which Jesus lived on this earth in order to make it possible for all humanity to be able to experience peace and atonement with God, the Father.

I often come across YouTube videos and Internet articles through which people of different ages, and backgrounds, ask questions about Jesus Christ, Christianity, Christians, the Bible, the Church, church culture, etc., and other topics, as it pertains to these. It’s been on my heart to answer the questions through my blog, for now.

No, I’m not a pastor, or a clergymember. I am a Christian who studies the Bible and seeks to do what it says— and sometimes I get it right, and other times, I don’t, just like the Bible said would happen.

So, feel free to send any questions you may have on any of these, and other topics, and what the Bible says about them, and I will do my best to answer you. Also, I may have guest bloggers to respond to some of your questions, too— sometimes, they do a better job at explaining things than I do. Either way, we’ll post the responses to your questions on this blog.

The purpose of this page is just to help others to get a better understanding of Jesus Christ and Christianity and what the Bible says about them, and other things we deal with in life. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome to post questions on this page.

You can send your questions to me at teyunatdarris@gmail.com, or post them in the comments section of this page. You are welcome to send your questions anonymously, if you’d like.

Check out this video, called, “What in the World is a Christian?” by Impact Videos Productions. Their YouTube Channel can be found here.